If you hear bells jingling, notice little lights twinkling and see postings of ugly Christmas sweaters online–you know the holidays are near. If you have one of those ugly sweaters, there's a perfect excuse for you to break it out by wearing it to benefit the community at Edmond's Ugly Holiday Light Run on Dec. 5.
The family-friendly run is in its second year and is raising money to help Edmond Parks and Recreation Department light up Mitch Park during the holiday season. The park, which provides the perfect setting for a fantastic light display, currently offers an outdoor ice rink for the community from Nov. 20 to Jan. 10.
"This is the second year for the rink to be in this location and it's wonderful due to the traffic in the park, visibility from the road and not to mention, it’s in a park!" said Diane Self, recreation program manager with the Edmond Parks and Recreation Department. "This is what spurred the idea of adding a light display to turn the park into more of a holiday destination."
Participants in the run are encouraged to wear an ugly sweater or crazy decorations. The uglier, the better. Need another reason to use that left over tinsel? There will be special fun awards given for ugly, uglier and ugliest sweater or creative costumes for adults and youth.
"We have a 5K USA Track & Field sanctioned run and a one-mile fun run or walk," Self said. "Family participation is encouraged. Even infants can be pushed in strollers and the family dog is welcome as well."
First, second and third place finishers in each category will receive a commemorative ornament.
"We estimate the total cost of the light display project to run $20,000-$25,000 so the run will supplement the purchases. We will purchase the pieces a little at a time until we have all the costs covered."
If it's an ugly sweater you choose to wear for the run and you didn't hold on to that treasure from the 1980's, don't worry. Vintage stores and secondhand shops like Goodwill and the Salvation Army often have a great selection of old sweaters.
Self said participants in last year's run bought sweaters and added garnishing like reindeer antlers, a Santa face and other fun trimmings.
The hope is that enough funds will be raised to have a holiday light display in Mitch Park within the next two years.
"The run is important to bring the community together during the holiday season for a fun event to benefit the community," Self said. "Also, there are few running and walking events after Thanksgiving so it's an incentive to get out and stay healthy during the holiday season."
Race Location
Mitch Park
2733 Marilyn Williams Drive
Edmond, OK 73003
Located on Covell between Kelly and Santa Fe in Edmond
Packet Pick Up
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 at the MAC in Mitch Park (Parks and Recreation Department)
Details
One-Mile Fun Run starts at 2 p.m.
5K Run starts at 2:30 p.m.
5K is $25 registration fee and includes a t-shirt
One-Mile Fun Run is FREE with no shirt
Shirts can be purchased day of for $12
Register online at here. Find more information on their website and Facebook page.
Angi Bruss is a Telly award-winning video host/anchor/reporter/voice talent/producer/editor in Oklahoma City. She is also a public relations consultant. Angi has 10 years of broadcast experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. Angi is a wife and a mother to two beautiful girls.
